CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — Sachin Tendulkar’s record 50th Test century and the unpredictable highveld weather held up South Africa’s charge toward victory late on day four of the first Test against India at Centurion yesterday.

Tendulkar became the first player to the mark with his sublime 107 not out as India reached 454-8 in their second innings when play was halted 50 minutes early because of strong winds at the SuperSport Park ground and an approaching thunderstorm. It left the visiting team 30 runs short of South Africa’s mammoth first-innings total of 620-4 declared.

Tendulkar and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (90) had led a gritty fightback for top-ranked India with a 172-run partnership after it had slipped to 277-6 at lunch on day four, chasing the home team’s huge total.

India were bowled out for 136 in their first innings and went on to surrender a 484-run first-innings lead. But, Tendulkar and Dhoni appeared on course to make South Africa bat again before the late wickets of Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh left the tourists hanging on.

Tendulkar stroked 12 fours and a six in 197 balls for his milestone century in his 175th match — and wrestled back some pride for India.

“It’s wonderful that it’s come in this manner. But, in whichever manner it comes I would have welcomed it,” he said. “It was extremely important for us to come back strong and send a strong message. I think we’ve been able to do that,” Tendulkar added.

Dhoni had battered 14 fours — and a 40-ball half-century — on the way to 90 from just 106 balls as the pair raised slim hopes that India could save the three-Test series opener.

But South Africa were suddenly on the brink of victory late in the final session when Dhoni edged a rising delivery from Dale Steyn (3-103) to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and Harbhajan was out to spinner Paul Harris (2-88) five balls later.

The weather also turned suddenly late in the afternoon as umbrellas were blown out of their stands and the players scurried from the pitch — with just enough time for the crowd to applaud the 37-year-old Tendulkar off the pitch.

He ended the day 107 not out from 226 balls, with 14 boundaries — his seventh century this year. Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was three not out.

Scoreboard

India 1st Innings: 136

South Africa 1st Innings: 620-4 declared

India 2nd Innings

(Overnight: 190-2)

Gautam Gambhir lbw b Steyn 80

Virender Sehwag c Smith b Harris 63

Rahul Dravid c Boucher b Morkel 43

Ishant Sharma c Amla b Steyn 23

Sachin Tendulkar not out 107

VVS Laxman c Prince b Tsotsobe 8

Suresh Raina c Harris b Kallis 5

Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Boucher b Steyn 90

Harbhajan Singh c Kallis b Harris 1

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth not out 3

Extras: (13b, 5lb, 8w, 5nb) 31

TOTAL: (for 8 wickets) 454

Overs: 122.2.

Fall of wickets: 1-137, 2-170, 3-214, 4-242, 5-256, 6-277, 7-449, 8-450.

Still to bat: Jaidev Unadkat.

Bowling: Dale Steyn 27.2-5-103-3 (1w), Morne Morkel 28-5-91-1 (2nb, 3w), Lonwabo Tsotsobe 24-3-98-1 (1nb), Paul Harris 30-5-88-2, Jacques Kallis 13-3-56-1 (2nb).

Toss: won by South Africa.

Umpires: Steve Davis (Australia), Ian Gould (England).

TV Umpire: Shaun George (South Africa).

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe).